savethewords.org

We are now the proud owners of the word:

FOPPOTEE

{a small minded person}

a favorite website for us word lovers:

savethewords.org

Fuzzy Valentines.

They didn't want the Valentine to say WARM,

because that word implied to much cheesy-ness.

Someone could get the wrong impression, you know

So the WARM FUZZY Valentines became just FUZZY.

They wanted blue hearts,

because boys don't like pink.

And girls are okay with blue.

The plan was to put a small message on the Valentine

that said something like "use this clip to post

warm fuzzies to your family."

no thanks. They said that was cheezy.

Again, the word warm has too many implications.

Keep it short and as mushless as possible, mom.

Jake is just dropping a fuzz in everyone's bag,

without a clip and without a note.

I asked how they're going to know who it's from?

He said he'd make an announcement.

so as to totally avoid any pleasant sentiments.

fyi. we used a glue gun, which took some serious lessons to teach the kids how to hold the fuzz on the very top so they wouldn't touch the glue...but don't let them do the eyeballs! Ouch city.

Joel Henriques

Laura gave me this link to Joel Henriques' Paper City. I love love it. {thanks, Laura}

His blog, made by joel, is even more awesome. I want to download and make everything. He has a book coming out in the Fall, perfect for a 2011 Christmas gift.

fyi. awesome.

Dress up like you're 100, for the 100th day of school.

Andy is all or nothing.

He moaned when he walked out the door.

And complained he had a hernia.

Dani made him a hearing aid out of modeling clay.

Andy chose not to listen to me all day, just to stay in character.

He said he was sorry, he had his aid turned down.

hey sweetheart,

You really don't have to get me anything for Valentine's Day, because your undying love and devotion is quite sufficient.

However, should you choose to declare your love in an ... hmm ... accessorizing kind of way, any of these will do:

{ARMELLE jewelry}

Unplugged.

We unplugged everything.

The announcement went well:

{We're re-doing our living room, hence the naked-ness of the room.

Just so you're not wondering why we're living in a bare brown box.}

It's an experiment. A Social Study on Exploration. Conan and I noticed things felt off with our kids; they were too connected with technology and not enough with each other. They were missing things as they really are. Their actions and interactions had one end result...screens. Creativity was lacking and authentic leisure was obsolete. So we unplugged.

Back to literature, music, arts, sports, imagination, developing skills and talents...exploring.

Once they get the work done, they can choose to explore whatever they want, as long as it's safe, affordable, and within the confines of gospel teachings. We will help them explore whatever they want. Explore a good story, history, a person. Explore drawing, glue, clay, woodwork. Explore the ocean, space, Africa. Explore our neighborhood, the dirt, the dishwasher, cooking, golf, instruments, massage therapy...Whatever! They seemed pretty excited once we presented it that way.

We asked them each what their hypothesis's on the experiment are...mostly they said they were going to die. But slowly they've started to talk about being better friends, having quieter moments, and more fun. Sigh.

Conan and I are hoping that by disconnecting they will re-connect with what's real and important. With each other, with us, with themselves, and most importantly with their Father in Heaven. That life saving relationship comes in the still moments when they can think, feel and listen. we need more of those.

So far so good. It's only been two days with just a couple minor meltdowns from Mickey Mouse detox, but we've already noticed a difference.

In the last two days we've gone to the gym, made green chips, made playdough, went to the park, played with playdough, made more playdough, cleaned up the playdough, made cookies, played Blockus, vacuumed dried playdough, explored the woods, made plans to build a dog house (for the dog we don't have), had piano lessons, dance parties; and they've played ninja, who can throw the ball against the wall the hardest, super hero doctors, and I think there was some cowboy mermaids in there too.

Homemade Playdough:

It's now memorized.

2 cups flour

2 cups water

1 cup salt

2 Tbsp oil

1 Tbsp cream of tartar

Stir in a big pot over low heat for around 10 minutes, until it pulls away from sides of pan and isn't sticky anymore. Let it cool and add food coloring. If it's sticky when you take it out of the pan, nuke it for 20 seconds and the moisture will absorb.

I've scoured homeschool websites and kid's crafts ideas to keep the little kids busy, but I'd love suggestions and ideas, if you've got any. It's a new way of thinking and planning and executing for me, not just the kids. It's kind of exhausting, but the way it should be.

Kacie says, "Mom, is the compooter plugged up?"

"Yes, honey, it's unplugged."

"Is the Wii plugged up?"

"Yes, sweetheart, so is the Wii."

"Is the music plugged up?"

"No, we can listen to all the music we want."

"Okay. Let's dance to Super Mario."

Life is good.